A gift of messages

One lazy day with my feet up in the recliner, I came across this quote from Albert Einstein:  "Nothing happens until something moves."  Since I was clearly immobile, this sent me into a hearty laugh.  How funny and how timely, as I was reclining while considering all that needed to be done that day.  Who knew that Albert Einstein had a sense of humor?  Was he sent to watch over me, knowing I needed a boost?  That did it.  I stood up and got started, charged with the power of laughter and a clear message.

Often I find that timely messages appear, steering me in the right direction if I would only pay attention.  Sometimes the message is so clear, I have no choice.  Just yesterday, I had decided not to indulge in my customary frozen yogurt treat after my appointment with my chiropractor.  However, in passing the yogurt shop, I found myself standing on line instead, waiting my turn.  The menu board showed that my favorite flavor had been retired, but I was willing to settle for another.  I asked for a taste, decided yes, and then asked for a cone.  No, they were out of cones until the next day.  That clinched it.  I don't eat ice cream without a cone.  So, I left.  Standing on the corner, it occurred to me that fate had steered me into sticking with my original decision to forgo the treat.  For this, I said, Thank you!" 

So, 

                              Pay attention to what the world is telling you!

                                          Get laughing and get moving!

Salud!

It's about time.

Every day, every day, the thought goes through my head, sometimes making it to a list of things to do, that today is the day I am going to start exercising for the rest of my life.  Every night, I hit the bed without having done so.  What does it do to your psyche when, day after day, you break a promise to yourself and your health?  It can't be good.  

Today, I came across an article with 10 encouraging quotes to get us up and moving.  Several  resonated with me, one of which I posted on Facebook.  Along with a dear friend who posts a positive energetic message every morning, I am going to start posting an encouraging exercise quote daily to help keep this in the forefront of my mind and perhaps to motivate others, also.  So, today's quote from an unknown source is:

                 "No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch."

Perfect for those of us who are not up to marathoning yet.

To your health!

I just know.

Like you, I imagine, I make promises to myself on a daily basis about how I'm going to eat right and exercise, starting NOW!  Yet, at the end of every day, it is clear that, once again, the day has gone by and none of the steps I planned has been put in place.  Until now.

Exercising daily was and is part of that daily promise.  The amount of time and money I have spent trying to persuade and cajole and ease myself into exercising every day cannot be calculated.  My collection of books, magazines, print-outs from online searches, and DVDs could easily stock the fitness section of a small library.  Yet, aside from occasional short-lived spurts of activity, I have not been able to establish a lifetime habit of daily exercise.  Until now.

A little over two weeks ago, on Saturday, November 26, I had a short talk with myself and decided that, if nothing else, I would do one move a day, a modified sun salutation adapted from yoga.  That was it.  I have done it every day since and, for whatever reason, I know this will stick.  I don't know why.  I can't give you any insight into what made this time different.  It is and I just know.

I am up to doing 4 to 5 in a row each day.  Sometimes it leads into more yoga moves or into toning or aerobic moves and sometimes not.  But, it is happening every day and it will continue as long as I am able.  I don't know why.  I wish I could tell you what kicked it off.  I just know this time will stick, no hysteria, no beating or berating myself.

Maybe that is part of it.  My steady quiet conviction that this is now a daily occurrence for the rest of my life and that's it, no discussion.

What can I say?  Give it a try.

Watcha waitin' for?

As each day goes by and no changes are made, you have to ask yourself, "WHAT are you waiting for?"  No fairy godmother is going to fly down to wave a magic wand to turn you into the person you want to be.  There is no instant lottery of weight loss which you're going to hit to get you past the daily work that needs to be done.

You find yourself waking up morning after morning, having made no or possibly minimal progress.  What gets you motivated?  Is it a special occasion, a special person, a special season?  These momentary motivators work temporarily for some.  They do not move me at all.  Ideally, we  should be making changes for our ongoing comfort and health, so that we can meet the demands of daily life with ease and have physical and inner reserves for the difficult times.  In the end, we are the ones that have to live with our physical selves.  Do you want it to get in your way or, like a child, move with no barriers?  It seems to be an easy choice.

Today, be aware of how you feel as you tackle what needs to be done.  If you're not happy, take a deep breath and . . .

BE THANKFUL FOR THE NEW DAY YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

TAKE COMFORT IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH.

It's there, waiting for you to recognize it.

FIND YOUR POWER FROM KNOWING

THAT YOU ARE BLESSED BECAUSE

YOU HAVE A CHOICE.

It's a new day.  Go to it!  Salud!